Wm. A. Rogers Old English Reproduction Silver Plate Bowl #6112
Hollowware (Serving Bowl or Compote) · Wm. A. Rogers, a major mark used by Oneida Ltd. after 1929. The Rogers name is legendary in American silver, though by this era it represented a high-volume commercial brand known for accessible silver-plated wares.
Pattern: Old English Reproduction, a series that revitalized Georgian and Victorian silhouettes for mid-20th-century American homes. Pattern status: Discontinued.
Type
Hollowware (Serving Bowl or Compote)
Maker
Wm. A. Rogers, a major mark used by Oneida Ltd. after 1929. The Rogers name is legendary in American silver, though by this era it represented a high-volume commercial brand known for accessible silver-plated wares.
Material
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass). The base metal is a non-precious copper-based alloy coated in a thin layer of pure silver.
Dimensions
Estimated 8-10 inches in diameter based on standard model 6112 dimensions; weight is likely 400-600 grams. It feels heavier than sterling due to the dense base metal.
Description
This piece is a classic example of American mid-century table service. Crafted by the Wm. A. Rogers division of Oneida, it seeks to replicate the elegance of 18th-century British silver for the modern suburban hostess. The interior is polished to a high mirror shine, reflecting the light through the delicate fretwork of its pierced rim.
Key Features
Distinguished by the specific 'Old English Reproduction' gothic stamp and the pierced mechanical lattice work. The model number 6112 is a primary diagnostic for this specific form.
Material & Composition
Silver Plate (Electroplated Nickel Silver or Brass). The base metal is a non-precious copper-based alloy coated in a thin layer of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Mirror polish on the interior basin with a reticulated or pierced lattice-work rim visible at the top edge. The styling is Neoclassical revival with a emphasis on smooth surfaces and ornate borders.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '46' (likely a production batch or size code), 'WM. A ROGERS' in a rectangular frame, 'Old English Reproduction' in Gothic script, and the model number '6112'. Absence of the word 'Sterling' confirms it is plated.
Construction Details
Machine-manufactured through metal spinning or die-pressing. The decorative rim is likely stamped and then soldered to the bowl basin. The surface is electroplated.
Functional Features
Includes a wide basin for serving food or display and a pierced decorative rim that provides visual lightness and ease of handling.
Handle & Grip Details
No specific handles are visible; the grip is provided by the reinforced, flared decorative rim.
Craftsmanship Details
A high-quality industrial product. While not hand-wrought, the symmetry of the stamping and the quality of the electroplating were industry standards for the mid-20th century.
Authentication Indicators
Markings are consistent with Oneida's mass-production stamps. The wear pattern (dull greyish/yellowish highlights in scratches) is typical for silver-plated nickel-brass rather than solid sterling.
Origin & Manufacturing
United States, likely manufactured at the Oneida Ltd. facilities in Sherrill, New York, during their peak production years.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern era (c. 1940-1960) executing a 'Revival' style based on 18th-century English Georgian aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1940-1955. The specific font style of 'Old English Reproduction' and the Wm. A. Rogers mark used without additional Oneida branding are classic for this window.
Cultural Significance
Represents the democratization of 'luxury' in post-WWII America, where silver-plated items allowed middle-class families to emulate the formal dining traditions of the European aristocracy.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant surface scratching (swirl marks) consistent with heavy use and over-polishing. Some dark spotting suggests 'pitting' where the silver plate has worn through to the base metal.
Value Estimate
$15 - $35 USD. Value is driven by decorative appeal rather than metal content, as it is a common plated item with noticeable surface wear.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a mild silver cream (e.g., Wright's). Avoid abrasive sponges which will strip the thin silver layer and expose the base metal. Store in a tarnish-resistant cloth bag.
Similar Pieces
Oneida Community Plate pieces or Reed & Barton silver-plated hollowware. These are often confused with the 'Paul Revere' reproduction line which lacks the pierced rim.
Interesting Facts
The 'Rogers' name was so valuable in the silver industry that dozens of companies fought in court for decades over the right to use it, leading to the complex 'Rogers' genealogy in American silver.